living in a shared rez room was horrible

I wish I knew to branch out and make more than one group of friends in first year.

I wish I knew that the more personal the wound, the more universal, and that judging people would create an invisible wall between us and that benefits no one.

I wish I understood that action is always the answer.

I wish I knew how much fun rock climbing is.

__________________
College Life: iUndergrad

The best advice I can give is to think long term while in university about a future career.

Coming from a new grad who went through the job search process over the summer, university grads are a dime a dozen and just having a degree isn't nearly enough anymore, especially if it's just a bachelors. I won't comment on other degrees, but just having a BSc on it's own is near worthless without relevant work experience.

Start searching for a position early before you graduate, NETWORK, go to info sessions, work on soft skills, utilize career services, gain as much work experience while still in school as possible. Even a minimum wage job is better then a blank resume.

try and buy all your textbooks used off a 2nd year student. it will save you alot of money =)

Originally Posted by jsdifelice

i found listening in class and taking extra notes that arent mentioned in notes posted really helped. sometimes profs will ask questions about things only mentioned in class. which brings me to my other tip: go to class and pay attention. if its 8:30, get sleep the night before. also, if you have more than one midterm on the same day, give equal time for studying. its still hard to do this, even in third year but its best if mastered in first year

I've been taking a lot less notes this year and doing that extra note thing, and doing notes in my own time based on what I find in posted notes as valuble..

Originally Posted by mmoocchh

I wish I knew/realized how extremely fast the year passes by in university. You blink, and first year is over..

Just wait, you'll blink again and be done undergrad....

this is so helpful!!!!!!!

-> Don't go downtown alone at night... super creepy people
-> Go out of mac and explore everything... some beautiful waterfalls in hamilton
-> If you live on rez, GET OUT of your room! so many new people to meet espically first year
-> Try sitting in the front of class, helps keeps you focused
-> Despite how important uni is, try to make some free time to have fun!

The intensive Japanese course is more intense than it sounds, and you shouldn't take it because you like the old Godzilla movies.

Also, if you're majoring in Cognitive Science of Language/Linguistics, you can do a double major with English. Which means you don't need to take any other language courses.

dont read this thread while you should be studying for a midterm

I wish there was a way to mark what sections you've red in a thread, and which ones you haven't.

Don't have your labs on friday. If you do, try to change it on SOLAR. Most midterms/quizzes happen on friday (especially for life-sci subjects), so it's a real pain to have 2 or 3 evaluations on the same day.

I wish I knew how little class material would be applicable in real life work.

And although I am proud of my academics, and the blood sweat and tears that were sacrificed in the process, I wish I took the time out of my school life to relish those closest to me, and to explore foreign experiences which would later shape who I would become as a human being.

I wish I knew to work as hard at LIFE 101 as I did in MECHENG 3R03 (which was EFFING difficult), because the uplifting feeling of accomplishment when receiving a 12 in Engineering is fleeting, but the knowledge of self is forever.

Originally Posted by JokrJon

I wish I knew how little class material would be applicable in real life work.

And although I am proud of my academics, and the blood sweat and tears that were sacrificed in the process, I wish I took the time out of my school life to relish those closest to me, and to explore foreign experiences which would later shape who I would become as a human being.

I wish I knew to work as hard at LIFE 101 as I did in MECHENG 3R03 (which was EFFING difficult), because the uplifting feeling of accomplishment when receiving a 12 in Engineering is fleeting, but the knowledge of self is forever.

You win man...absolutely true.